SKYNEWS:
US President George W. Bush has vowed that the terrorists who launched air attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York and the Pentagon in Washington would be brought to justice.

In a live television address to the nation from the Oval Office at the White House, he said the search was underway for the terrorists behind the air attacks which are feared to have claimed as many as 10,000 lives.

'Evil acts'

President Bush also said the US would target any country which harboured those responsible for hijacking aircraft and crashing them into the key buildings.

"The search is underway for those behind these evil acts," he said.

"I've directed the full resources for our intelligence and law enforcement communities to find those responsible and bring them to justice.

"We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbour them."

In the countdown to the address, the Pentagon announced it had halted the homeward-bound aircraft carrier Enterprise in the Indian Ocean and told its crew to await orders for a return to the Gulf where it may join another US aircraft carrier.

"Our military is powerful and it's prepared," Mr Bush said, without elaborating.

'They have failed'

The President said the terrorist strikes would not dent America's resolve to fight terrorism and both the Government and the people would not be intimidated.

"These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed. Our country is strong. A great people has been moved to defend a great nation," he said.

"Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve."